TDS Chicago Combine: Girls Best XI

The TopDrawerSoccer combine series stopped in Chicago for the second time in three years on Aug. 2. Coaches from the region, Florida and North Carolina attended to witness an abundance of talent.

Interested in being part of a combine and playing in front of over a dozen college coaches? Sign up for a combine, but don’t wait as spaces are limited.

Here are the girls best XI and other standouts from the event:

GK Anna Johnston, Sockers FC, 2018 – Johnston, a young keeper, showed confidence and maturity beyond her years in every drill and game. She communicated well with her backline, keeping organization and showed good, safe hands – not giving up many rebounds. Her composure with the ball at her feet stood out, and she showed comfort on both her left and right.

D Isabella Cook, Eclipse Select (Il), 2019 – Cook broke out from the back, utilizing her speed on the dribble on numerous occasions. Solid technically, clean first touch, she even managed to get far enough into the final third to get some shots off. Reliable at the back, she always looked a threat breaking out.

D Maggie Pierce, CASL, 2019 – Peirce enters into the Best XI for the second time this year - another solid performance at the back and in midfield. She showed her competitive nature throughout, connected well, and had one of the biggest impacts during full field games. Her speed allowed her to close down attackers quickly.

D Catherine Johnson, Lyons Township SC, 2018 – Johnson has great size and strength, which is a huge plus as a defender. She was dominant in the air throughout the day and was hard into tackles – taking no prisoners. Though a tough player, she demonstrated good decision making, on when to step and when to contain the attacker.

M Morgan Rymer, SC Waukesha, 2017 – Rymer is quick and sharp on and off the ball. She provided good movement in midfield was smart in possession and read the game well. She provided a calm and controlled element to the midfield.

M Jessica Christmas, Eclipse Select (Il), 2017 – Christmas is a smaller but "mighty" midfielder. Off the ball she pressured aggressively higher up the field resulting in turnovers. She is top notch technically, fast on the dribble with a clean first touch, she did well in front of goal.

M Lauren Lehsten, Brookfield SC, 2017 – Lehsten controlled the tempo of the game through the middle, and stood tall when the pressure was on and the game got tough. Comfortable in possession, she kept things simple.

F Julianne Hutchinson, Sockers FC, 2018 – Hutchinson does well with her back to goal, holding up the ball, and bring other players into the game. Solid with both feet, a great first touch out of pressure, she created a lot of chances for herself and got a lot of shots off.

F Elizabeth Snyder, FC Wisconsin Eclipse, 2017 – Snyder, much like Hutchinson, has great hold up play, and proved an effective target forward throughout the full-field games. She combined well with the midfield, and once she turned to face defenders she did a good job at creating space to strike a clean shot.

F Victoria Thornton, Sockers FC, 2018 – Thornton enters the Best XI for Chicago for the second successive year. Technically solid, calm and composed on the ball, she showed strength on the dribble on good hold up play. The type of play who can play the No. 10 role, dropping deep, using her vision and top technical ability to pick out through balls and also the No. 9 role, using her strength to hold up play as a target forward.

F Rachel Rasins, Vardar, 2019 – Rasins is a scrappy forward who battles for possession and creates her own opportunities. Sharp over short distance, strong, competitive under pressure, she finds the back of the net with most chances in and around the 18 yard box.